Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Housing allocation discriminates against single people and lone parents

Cllr. Tony Smithers of Sinn Féin has accused the Minister of State for
Housing Noel Ahern of implementing a policy of discrimination against single
people and lone parents as regards housing and how points are allocated to
people on this basis. Cllr. Smithers pointed out that single people and
lone parents account for 90% of those on the housing list - single people
are 52.4% and lone parents are 37.6% of all applicants respectively.

He said: "The Minister Noel Ahern is implementing a very unfair policy as
regards how houses are allocated by local authorities to people. At present
90% of all housing applicants are either single people or lone parents and
these people are being discriminated against by the method by which points
are allocated to people in various categories. Currently, all applicants
are awarded 5 points initially when they apply for housing. For those with
partners, 20 points are allocated. For each child per applicant, 3 points
are awarded.

"Effectively, this system gives those with partners an unfair advantage over
all the others regardless of time spent on the housing list, which means
that their chances of ever being housed are seriously diminished. For this
system to be made fairer, I am calling upon the Minister to allocate 20
points to all of the above - that is 20 points for all initial applicants,
20 points for a partner and 20 points for each child. This would create a
more level playing field while also taking into account particular urgent
needs.

"I have asked Dublin City Council to write a letter to the Minister in
regard to this situation and ask why this is happening. I would also be
happy to discuss this situation with the Minister, preferably in public, and
if he is not willing to discuss this, then ask him why he insists on
implementing this unjust and unfair policy." ENDS